Blind Whiskey Tasting

Blind Barrels XVI Best of the Best Blind Tasting Results

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is it a Buy? Blind Barrels Release XVI “Best of the Best” Tasting! 🥃

Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into Blind Barrels Release XVI, aptly titled “The Best of the Best.” This curated box features standout picks from award-winning craft distilleries, and we’re putting our palates to the test to see if we can identify these mystery pours.

From a rare bourbon finished on local wood to a high-proof whiskey ranked in the Top 20 of 2025 by Whiskey Advocate, this flight is full of surprises! Are these regional gems worth the hunt? Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each mystery pour to decide: Is it a BUY?

🕵️ The Mystery Lineup (Revealed in Video!):

  • Sample A: A unique bourbon from the “Cherry Capital of the World,” finished on toasted cherry wood staves for a bright, floral profile.
  • Sample B: An “out of this world” 100-proof, four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon released to celebrate a total solar eclipse.
  • Sample C: A 115-proof American Single Malt from the ADI “Distillery of the Year,” aged for 7 years and rarely seen outside its home state.
  • Sample D: A powerhouse 125-proof Wheat Whiskey from Ohio, recently honored as one of the most prestigious spirits in the world for 2025.

Enjoying the journey? If you like honest whiskey talk and real-world buying advice, hit SUBSCRIBE and the bell to join us for every pour!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

✅ Visit: https://yourbourbonjourney.com  for additional stories to enhance Your Bourbon Journey!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers or Blind Barrels for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#WhiskeyTasting #BourbonJourney #BlindBarrels #BourbonReview #WhiskeyLover #CraftDistillery #AmericanSingle Malt #CaskStrength #BourbonLife #CraftWhiskey #WhiskeyAdvocate #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyCommunity #WhiskeyCollector #Cheers

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

‼️🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨‼️

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Producer: Casey Jones Distillery – Hopkinsville, KY
  • Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 4 years old
  • Mashbill: 75% Corn, 10% Wheat, 10% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (Mash Bill 4)
  • Size: 750ml

Mammoth Distilling Northern Bourbon – Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished on Toasted Cherry Wood Staves

  • Producer: Mammoth Distilling – Central Lake, MI
  • Proof: 95 (47.5% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 74.8% Wapsie Valley Corn, 21% Wheeler Rye, 4.2% Conlon Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Middle West Spirits Cask Strength Straight Wheat Whiskey

  • Producer: Middle West Spirits – Columbus, OH
  • Proof: 125.2 (62.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 95% Ohio Soft Red Winter Wheat, 5% Two-Row Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey – Cask Strength (375ml)

  • Producer: Southern Distilling Company – Statesville, NC
  • Proof: 115.2 (57.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 7 years old
  • Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Size: 375ml

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Ultimate Booker’s 2025 Guide: Every Batch Ranked & Scored 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

The Ultimate Booker’s Bourbon Showdown: 2025 Full Batch Blind Tasting! 🥃

Is there a better way to kick off the weekend than a blind flight of Booker’s Bourbon? Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey are diving deep into the 2025 Booker’s lineup to settle the debate: Which batch truly reigns supreme?

From the cherry-forward notes of Jerry’s Batch to the “stubborn genius” behind Phantom Pipes, we’re ranking all four releases based on Nose, Palate, and Finish. These are all Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys coming in at that powerhouse proof we love, but the profiles this year might surprise you!

In this video, we cover: 

✅ Full breakdown of 2025-01 through 2025-04. 

✅ Blind tasting notes: Identifying the peanuts, cherry, and “convection sugar” sweetness. 

✅ Our personal scoring (Spoilers: We found a 95-point winner!). 

✅ The stories behind the batches: Honoring Barry Berish, Jerry Dalton, and the Noe family legacy.

The 2025 Lineup:

Which 2025 Booker’s was your favorite? Did you prefer the traditional peanut funk or the unique fruit-forward profile of Jerry’s Batch? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

Batch 2025-01 “Barry’s Batch”: 7yr, 2mo, 4d | 125.7 Proof – Original Review:

Batch 2025-02 “By the Pond”: 7yr, 1mo, 20d | 126.5 Proof – Original Review:

Batch 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”: 7yr, 4mo, 21d | 124.7 Proof – Original Review:

Batch 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes”: 7yr, 6mo, 15d | 126.4 Proof – Original Review:

✨ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ✨ If you love deep dives into bourbon culture and blind tastings, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join our journey! Remember: Always drink responsibly.

For WordPress

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#BookersBourbon #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #JimBeam #BourbonLife #blindtasting #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyGram #bourbonjourney #CaskStrength #SmallBatch #WhiskeyCollection #JerrysBatch #whiskeytube #Bookers2025 

Your Bourbon Journey Crowns Patriotic Meri-COB from Glenns Creek Distilling as 2025 Whiskey of the Year

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Newburgh, IN – January 10, 2026 – Following a rigorous year-long evaluation of over 100 whiskeys, Your Bourbon Journey, the digital spirits platform hosted by Wayne and Rebecca McBrayer, is proud to announce Patriotic Meri-COB from Glenns Creek Distilling as the winner of its inaugural 2025 Whiskey of the Year award.

The selection process was governed by a strict, multi-stage blind tournament designed to eliminate brand bias and focus solely on spirit quality. The field of 16 contenders – comprised of 12 “Whiskey of the Month” winners and four high-scoring “Wildcard” entries – competed in a bracket-style playoff.

“Our goal was to find the best whiskey on the shelf, regardless of price point or prestige,” said Rebecca, co-founder of Your Bourbon Journey. “By the time we reached the Final Four, we were tasting the elite of the elite. To see a #2 seed like Patriotic Meri-COB run the gauntlet against three #1 seeds was the ultimate proof of our blind process at work.”

The Road to the Championship

The tournament followed a “Sweet Sixteen” format, where bottles were seeded based on their performance in quarterly qualifying rounds. Patriotic Meri-COB’s path to the title was a true “Giant Slayer” narrative, requiring head-to-head victories over Neeley Bottled in Bond Four Grain, Wild Turkey 101 8-Year, Old Louisville Cognac Finish, and ultimately, Bardstown Discovery Series 13.

“The consistency was what ultimately set the winner apart,” noted Wayne. “In four separate rounds of blind tasting, the Patriotic Meri-COB never dipped below a 94-point score. It was a model of excellence from the first pour to the final championship glass.”

Award Presentation

In recognition of this achievement, Your Bourbon Journey will travel to the historic Glenns Creek Distilling in February 2026 to officially present the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Championship Trophy to the distilling team.

About Your Bourbon Journey

Your Bourbon Journey is a whiskey-focused digital platform dedicated to honest, tasting reviews, distillery tour highlights, home cocktail creation, and consumer education. Through their “Whiskey of the Year” program, Wayne and Rebecca aim to highlight exceptional craftsmanship in the spirits industry.

Media Contact

Dr. Rebecca Herman, Your Bourbon Journey, YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com, www.YourBourbonJourney.com

#Bourbon #Whiskey #WhiskeyReview #BourbonLife #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyGram #Cheers #WhiskeyOfTheYear #WOTY2025 #YourBourbonJourney #GlennsCreekDistilling #PatrioticMeriCOB #BlindTasting #BourbonAwards #BourbonSociety #WhiskeyTasting #CraftSpirits #SingleBarrel #DistilleryLife #WhiskeyLover #BourbonFinds #PressRelease

Best Bourbon of 2025? The Championship Reveal!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 The 2025 Blind Whiskey of the Year: THE FINALS! 🏆

This is it—the pinnacle of a 12-month journey! After starting with 16 elite contenders and narrowing them down through a grueling double-blind bracket, we have reached the Championship Round. In this final battle, two heavyweight whiskeys face off for the ultimate title: 2025 Whiskey of the Year.

Will the “quintessential bourbon” profile take the crown, or will a “special and unique” underdog pull off the upset?

📊 The Final Matchup:

  • Candidate FA: Patriotic Meri-COB (Glenns Creek Distillery)
  • Candidate FC: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series #13

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they break down the nose, palate, and finish of these two incredible pours. This episode features the full reveal of the Final Four ranking, including Old Louisville Cognac Finish and WH McBrayer Batch 5.

💬 We want to hear from you!

Did your favorite bottle make the Final Four? Were you shocked by the winner? Who was your underdog of the year? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to: ✅ SUBSCRIBE for our 2026 Whiskey of the Month reviews! ✅ LIKE this video if you love blind tastings. ✅ DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

🏆 WOTY TOURNAMENT HUB: View the live bracket, match results, and winner scores.16 Bottles. One Champion. No Labels. HERE: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/03/%f0%9f%8f%86-the-definitive-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-bracket/ 

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

#WhiskeyOfTheYear #BourbonReview #BlindTasting #BourbonJourney #GlennsCreek #BardstownBourbonCo #WOTY2025 #BourbonBracket #PatrioticMeriCOB #Discovery13

The Most Intense Blind Battle Yet! Final Four Reveal 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Final Four Showdown! 🥃 Blind Whiskey of the Year: Battles 13 & 14

The search for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year has reached the ultimate pressure cooker! We started with 16 incredible contenders, and now only four powerhouse bottles remain. In today’s video, we head into the Final Four with two high-stakes blind battles to determine which two whiskeys will punch their ticket to the Championship Round.

It’s the #1 seeds vs. a powerhouse #2 seed that fought its way into the inner circle. Seeding is officially out the window—these pours have proven they belong.

🥃 Today’s Blind Matchups:

  • Battle 13 (FA vs FB): One glass brings a “candy store” nose filled with butterscotch and caramel, while the challenger offers a delicate, soft, and sophisticated profile.
  • Battle 14 (FC vs FD): A classic “Bourbon lover’s Bourbon” featuring nutmeg and barrel notes goes head-to-head against a complex pour with hints of leather, tobacco, and a “spicy shebang.”

As always, we are 100% blind. We know these are the final four bottles, but we have no idea which is which until the scores are tallied. This episode features some of our most intense debating yet, including a result decided by a razor-thin 0.5-point margin.

✨ Video Highlights:

  • The “Confectionary” Nose: Does a sweet, brown sugar profile beat out a delicate, pleasant sipper?
  • The Proof Factor: We discuss why proof (ranging from 105 to 110) is becoming a major player in the evaluation.
  • A House Divided: Watch Wayne and Rebecca disagree on the flavor vs. finish in a battle that nearly required a tiebreaker.
  • The Road to the Finals: Which two bottles are headed back to the shelf, and which two will fight for the crown tomorrow?

📢 Join the Conversation

Looking at the remaining lineup—WH McBrayer Batch 5, Patriotic Meri-COB, Old Louisville Cognac Finish, and Bardstown Discovery 13—who is your money on? Did your favorite make the cut, or was there a major upset?

Don’t miss the Grand Finale tomorrow! We will crown the 2025 winner in our final blind “drink-off.”

🏆 WOTY TOURNAMENT HUB: View the live bracket, match results, and winner scores.16 Bottles. One Champion. No Labels. HERE: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/03/%f0%9f%8f%86-the-definitive-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-bracket/ 

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #finalfour #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

Elite Eight Blind Battle: Who Made the Final Four? 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Blind Whiskey of the Year: The Elite Eight Final Showdown!

The road to the Final Four ends here! In today’s high-stakes episode, we conclude the Elite Eight with Battles 11 and 12. It’s a classic showdown of 1-seeds vs. 2-seeds, where the scores are razor-thin and the pressure is at an all-time high.

Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into a blind sensory evaluation to see which bottles have the complexity, the “legs,” and the finish to survive the cut. One of these battles resulted in a dead tie—stay tuned to see how we broke the tie and which powerhouse whiskies officially punched their ticket to the semifinals!

🕒 In This Episode:

  • Battle 11 (U vs. V): A clash of opposites. One brings sweet confectionary notes and power, while the other offers deep, dark “winter bourbon” vibes.
  • Battle 12 (W vs. X): The battle of the titans. We’re talking barrel-heavy cocoa notes versus traditional caramel and baking spice perfection.
  • The Big Reveal: We unmask the winners and losers! See how Craft Distilleries are holding their own against the “Big Boys.”
  • Final Four Announcement: The bracket is set! Find out which four bottles are moving on to compete for Whiskey of the Year.

📢 JOIN THE JOURNEY

If you love deep-dive whiskey reviews, blind tastings, and bourbon hunting, hit that SUBSCRIBE button! We release new tournament battles daily as we head toward crowning the undisputed Champion.

🏆 WOTY TOURNAMENT HUB: View the live bracket, match results, and winner scores.16 Bottles. One Champion. No Labels. HERE: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/03/%f0%9f%8f%86-the-definitive-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-bracket/ 

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

Elite Eight: 1 Seeds vs 2 Seeds | 2025 Blind Whiskey Tournament

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Clash of the Titans! Elite Eight Battles 9 & 10 | Blind Whiskey of the Year 2025

The field has been cut in half, and the intensity is peaking! Welcome to the Elite Eight of the 2025 Blind Whiskey of the Year tournament. Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey dive into Battles 9 and 10, where only the “best of the best” remain.

This isn’t just any tasting—it’s a clash of 1 seeds vs. 2 seeds. These are the quarterly champions and runners-up, featuring top-tier straight bourbons, a wheat whiskey, and a finished standout. Everything is 100% blind, re-shuffled to ensure total objectivity.

Battle 9: Candidate Q vs. Candidate R

  • Candidate Q: A dessert lover’s dream on the nose with brown sugar, caramel, and cinnamon, leading into a spicy palette with intriguing notes of coffee and chocolate.
  • Candidate R: A “classic bourbon” powerhouse. Savory, complex, and layered with emerging notes of tobacco and leather on the back end.
  • The Verdict: Does the sweetness of Q win out, or does the savory complexity of R take the slot in the Final Four?

Battle 10: Candidate S vs. Candidate T

  • Candidate S: A “light and bright” profile featuring a unique “sweet and sour” yin-yang of lemon zest and brown sugar.
  • Candidate T: A confectionery shop in a glass! Huge notes of rich butterscotch and silky dark caramel with a thick, oily mouthfeel.
  • The Verdict: It’s a battle of contrast—bright citrus vs. deep butterscotch. See which one secured a 94-point score!

Which of these profiles sounds like your winner? Are you Team Butterscotch (T) or Team Tobacco & Leather (R)? Let us know in the comments!

🏆 WOTY TOURNAMENT HUB: View the live bracket, match results, and winner scores.16 Bottles. One Champion. No Labels. HERE

📈 THE ELITE EIGHT IS SET: The opening round saw a massive 93.5 average winner score. Even the bottles that were eliminated averaged a 92.1! See the full breakdown of the scores and which “Giant Slayers” pulled off the upset HERE

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: HERE

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

The Road to WOTY: Who Made the Elite Eight?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🏆 WHISKEY OF THE YEAR: The Sweet Sixteen Finale! (Battles 7 & 8)

The opening round of the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Tournament concludes today! After 12 months of evaluations, it all comes down to the final two spots in the Elite Eight.

In this episode, we face our final #1 seed taking on a high-scoring Wildcard, followed by a clash between our final #2 and #3 seeds. Will the heavy hitters hold the line, or are we about to witness the ultimate “Giant Slayer” upset right before the quarterfinals?

🥃 In This Episode:

We wrap up the Sweet Sixteen with two massive matchups that pushed our palates to the limit.

  • Battle 7: A high-proof showdown where one bottle “sings” with complexity while the other brings a “bag of peanuts” to the face.
  • Battle 8: A battle of the “beast mode” noses. One bottle smells like a Crème Brûlée dessert, while the other offers an intriguing ginger-spice balance.

Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish—completely blind—to see which two bottles survive the gauntlet to join the Elite Eight.

📉 The Sweet Sixteen Scorecard

The competition in this opening round was incredibly tight. To give you an idea of the caliber of these whiskeys, here is how the scoring broke down across all 16 contenders:

  • Average Winner Score: 93.5 (Elite Eight Bound)
  • Average Eliminated Score: 92.1 It is rare to see a tournament where the “losers” are still scoring in the 90s! This proves that every bottle in this bracket truly earned its spot among the best of 2025.

🏆 The Elite Eight Reveal

Stick around for the end of the video where we finally pull the tape! For the first time, we reveal the 8 Bottles moving on to the Quarterfinals.

The Elite Eight Field includes: 

✅ Our final #1 seeds that held the line. 

✅ The “Giant Slayers” that pulled off the upset. 

✅ A mix of Heritage Kentucky brands and Craft powerhouses.

📢 Join the Journey!

Who are you rooting for in the Elite Eight? Did your favorite bottle get eliminated too early? Let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to follow the rest of the bracket as we head toward the Grand Finale!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

The Ultimate Sweet 16: Whiskey of the Year Battles 5 & 6

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

🥃 Sweet Sixteen Battles 5 & 6: The Road to Whiskey of the Year!

The hunt for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year continues! We are officially in the thick of the Sweet 16, where the competition is tighter than ever. Today, we’re breaking down Battles 5 and 6 in a 100% blind tasting to see which bottles have the “legs” to survive and which ones are shuffling off to Buffalo.

In this episode, we witness a massive #1 seed take on a hungry wildcard, followed by a neck-and-neck battle between a #2 and a #3 seed. From unexpected “sweet and sour” lemon zest notes to traditional “bourbon drinker’s bourbon” profiles rich with cherry and oak, the scores were razor-thin.

🏆 Inside Today’s Blind Bracket:

  • Battle 5 (The 1 Seed vs. 4 Seed): Candidate I vs. Candidate J. Can a wildcard pull off the ultimate upset? One bottle delivers heavy barrel and cinnamon, while the other surprises the palate with a unique confectionery sugar and citrus zest profile.
  • Battle 6 (The 2 Seed vs. 3 Seed): Candidate K vs. Candidate L. It’s a battle of styles! We compare a dark, rich, baking-spice powerhouse against a bright, floral, and fruity pour featuring pear and apple notes.

Which bottles advanced to the Elite Eight? Watch to see the scores and the struggle!

💬 Join the Conversation: Which profile do you prefer—the dark, oaky “cherry bombs” or the light, floral, and fruity pours? Drop a comment below and let us know if you’ve guessed any of the bottles in this year’s bracket!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

Total Blind Chaos! Sweet 16 Whiskey Battles 3 & 4

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

Can a Wild Card pull off an upset? 🥃

We’re back for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Sweet Sixteen Battles 3 & 4! Today, a #1 seed defends its title and a neck-and-neck #2 vs #3 battle takes center stage. Who moves on in the ultimate blind bourbon tasting?

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca continue the road to the 2025 Whiskey of the Year. We are tasting completely blind—no labels, no bias, just the liquid in the glass.

In Battle 3, we compare two distinct profiles: one “quintessential bourbon” filled with butterscotch and brown sugar, up against a sweet, nutty contender that reminds us of confectionary sugar. Then, in Battle 4, we dive into a mystery floral profile that has us questioning if we’ve found a finished whiskey or a rare wheat whiskey in the bracket.

What’s inside this video:

  • Battle 3: A quintessential #1 seed vs. a sweet & nutty Wild Card.
  • Battle 4: The “Group of Death” – A #2 vs. #3 seed matchup that was too close to call.
  • Blind Scoring: See our real-time reactions and final point totals.

Which of these bottles belongs on your shelf? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

📅 Don’t miss out: We’re dropping Battles 5 & 6 tomorrow! Hit that Subscribe button and ring the bell so you don’t miss a single sip of the tournament.

Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #KentuckyBourbon #BestBourbon2025 #SweetSixteen